New hope for George Lucas' museum proposal

Updated 6:14 pm, Sunday, May 4, 2014

Photo: Yoshikazu Tsuno, AFP / Getty Images

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Storm Troopers pose at a toy shop for the promotion of the Star Wars goods in Tokyo on May 4, 2015. May 4th is called the "Star Wars Day" among Star Wars fans as the famous phrase "May the Force be with you" in the movie sounds like "May the 4th be with you". AFP PHOTO / Yoshikazu TSUNOYOSHIKAZU TSUNO/AFP/Getty Images less

Storm Troopers pose at a toy shop for the promotion of the Star Wars goods in Tokyo on May 4, 2015. May 4th is called the "Star Wars Day" among Star Wars fans as the famous phrase "May the Force be with you" in ... more

Photo: Yoshikazu Tsuno, AFP / Getty Images

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A young "Star Wars" fan wearing a stormtrooper helmet attends an event marking Star Wars Day in Milan on May 3, 2015.

A young "Star Wars" fan wearing a stormtrooper helmet attends an event marking Star Wars Day in Milan on May 3, 2015.

Photo: Filippo Monteforte, AFP / Getty Images

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A cosplayer dressed as a "Star Wars" Tusken attends a Star Wars Day event in Milan on May 3, 2015.

A cosplayer dressed as a "Star Wars" Tusken attends a Star Wars Day event in Milan on May 3, 2015.

Photo: Filippo Monteforte, AFP / Getty Images

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A cosplayer dressed as "Star Wars" character Aayla Secura attends a Star Wars Day event in Milan on May 3, 2015.

A cosplayer dressed as "Star Wars" character Aayla Secura attends a Star Wars Day event in Milan on May 3, 2015.

Photo: Filippo Monteforte, AFP / Getty Images

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Pedestrians pass before Storm Troopers at a toy shop in Tokyo on May 4, 2015. May 4th is called the "Star Wars Day" among Star Wars fans as the famous phrase "May the Force be with you" in the movie sounds like "May the 4th be with you". less

Pedestrians pass before Storm Troopers at a toy shop in Tokyo on May 4, 2015. May 4th is called the "Star Wars Day" among Star Wars fans as the famous phrase "May the Force be with you" in the movie sounds like ... more

A member of the Star Wars fan club dressed as Princess Leia celebrates "Star Wars Day" in front of the Colosseum in central Rome on May 4, 2014.

A member of the Star Wars fan club dressed as Princess Leia celebrates "Star Wars Day" in front of the Colosseum in central Rome on May 4, 2014.

Photo: Tiziana Fabi, AFP/Getty Images

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A member of the Star Wars fan club dressed as Boba Fett (R) celebrates "Star Wars Day" in front of the Colosseum in central Rome on May 4, 2014.

A member of the Star Wars fan club dressed as Boba Fett (R) celebrates "Star Wars Day" in front of the Colosseum in central Rome on May 4, 2014.

Photo: Tiziana Fabi, AFP/Getty Images

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A member of the Star Wars fan club dressed as Aayla Secura celebrates "Star Wars Day" in front of the Colosseum in central Rome on May 4, 2014.

A member of the Star Wars fan club dressed as Aayla Secura celebrates "Star Wars Day" in front of the Colosseum in central Rome on May 4, 2014.

Photo: Tiziana Fabi, AFP/Getty Images

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Members of the Star Wars fan club celebrate "Star Wars Day" in front of the Colosseum in central Rome on May 4, 2014.

Members of the Star Wars fan club celebrate "Star Wars Day" in front of the Colosseum in central Rome on May 4, 2014.

Photo: Tiziana Fabi, AFP/Getty Images

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Brandon Young wears a Darth Vader helmet while attending a Star Wars-themed church service with his family at St. Andrew's-Wesley Church in Vancouver, British Columbia, Sunday May 4, 2014. The service was held to mark Star Wars Day, May 4, chosen by fans because it sounds similar to the line from the series' phrase "May the Force be with you," according to The Canadian Press. less

Brandon Young wears a Darth Vader helmet while attending a Star Wars-themed church service with his family at St. Andrew's-Wesley Church in Vancouver, British Columbia, Sunday May 4, 2014. The service was held ... more

Photo: Darryl Dyck, Associated Press

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Dressed as Yoda, Freeda Elliott, 78, center, listens during a Star Wars-themed church service at St. Andrew's-Wesley Church in Vancouver, British Columbia, Sunday, May 4, 2014. The service was held to mark Star Wars Day, May 4, chosen by fans because it sounds similar to the line from the series' phrase "May the Force be with you," according to The Canadian Press. less

Dressed as Yoda, Freeda Elliott, 78, center, listens during a Star Wars-themed church service at St. Andrew's-Wesley Church in Vancouver, British Columbia, Sunday, May 4, 2014. The service was held to mark Star ... more

Photo: Darryl Dyck, Associated Press

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Ginger Kacy-Palmer, 3, wears a Princess Leia wig while attending a Star Wars-themed church service with her parents at St. Andrew's-Wesley Church in Vancouver, British Columbia, Sunday May 4, 2014. The service was held to mark Star Wars Day, May 4, chosen by fans because it sounds similar to the line from the series' phrase "May the Force be with you," according to The Canadian Press. less

Ginger Kacy-Palmer, 3, wears a Princess Leia wig while attending a Star Wars-themed church service with her parents at St. Andrew's-Wesley Church in Vancouver, British Columbia, Sunday May 4, 2014. The service ... more

Photo: Darryl Dyck, Associated Press

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Star Wars fan Michelle Chee, 32, right, dressed up as Padme Amidala has a rest at a Star Wars Day gathering in a mall downtown Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Saturday, May 2, 2015. Star Wars Day is observed by fans globally on May 4 with a slight change in the iconic catchphrase; from "May the Force be with you" to "May the Fourth be with you". less

Star Wars fan Michelle Chee, 32, right, dressed up as Padme Amidala has a rest at a Star Wars Day gathering in a mall downtown Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Saturday, May 2, 2015. Star Wars Day is observed by fans ... more

Photo: Joshua Paul, Associated Press

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A Star Wars storm trooper hands out medals to finishers of the Prairie Fire Marathon half marathon on Sunday, May 4, 2014, in Wichita, Kan. May 4 is known as National Star Wars Day to fans worldwide since the date is similar to the franchise's slogan, "May the Force Be With You." less

A Star Wars storm trooper hands out medals to finishers of the Prairie Fire Marathon half marathon on Sunday, May 4, 2014, in Wichita, Kan. May 4 is known as National Star Wars Day to fans worldwide since the ... more

Photo: Jaime Green, Associated Press

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Star Wars character Chewbacca throws a ceremonial first pitch at the beginning of a baseball game with the Cincinnati Reds and the Milwaukee Brewers, Sunday, May 4, 2014, in Cincinnati.

Star Wars character Chewbacca throws a ceremonial first pitch at the beginning of a baseball game with the Cincinnati Reds and the Milwaukee Brewers, Sunday, May 4, 2014, in Cincinnati.

Photo: David Kohl, Associated Press

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Members of the Storm Troopers cross paths with Domenic Sebastiani #45 of the Denver Outlaws before a game against the Ohio Machine at Sports Authority Field at Mile High on May 4, 2014 in Denver, Colorado. The teams wore Star Wars themed jerseys in honor of "May-The-4th-Be-With-You day." less

Members of the Storm Troopers cross paths with Domenic Sebastiani #45 of the Denver Outlaws before a game against the Ohio Machine at Sports Authority Field at Mile High on May 4, 2014 in Denver, Colorado. The ... more

Photo: Justin Edmonds, Getty Images

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Drew Snider #23 of the Denver Outlaws reacts after scoring the game-tying goal during the fourth quarter against the Ohio Machine at Sports Authority Field at Mile High on May 4, 2014 in Denver, Colorado. The teams wore Star Wars themed jerseys in honor of "May-The-4th-Be-With-You" day.The Outlaws defeated the Machine 14-12. less

Drew Snider #23 of the Denver Outlaws reacts after scoring the game-tying goal during the fourth quarter against the Ohio Machine at Sports Authority Field at Mile High on May 4, 2014 in Denver, Colorado. The ... more

Photo: Justin Edmonds, Getty Images

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Thai children pose with members of the Star Wars fan club in Thailand, dressed as Stormtroopers, as they celebrate "Star Wars Day" at a shopping mall in Bangkok on May 4, 2014. Members of the club dressed up in costume to parade around and raise funds for an orphanage charity. less

Thai children pose with members of the Star Wars fan club in Thailand, dressed as Stormtroopers, as they celebrate "Star Wars Day" at a shopping mall in Bangkok on May 4, 2014. Members of the club dressed up ... more

Photo: Pornchai Kittiwongsakul, AFP/Getty Images

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A member of the Star Wars fan club dressed as Darth Sidious (front) takes part in the "Star Wars Day" in front of the Colosseum in central Rome on May 4, 2014.

A member of the Star Wars fan club dressed as Darth Sidious (front) takes part in the "Star Wars Day" in front of the Colosseum in central Rome on May 4, 2014.

Photo: Tiziana Fabi, AFP/Getty Images

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Members of the Star Wars fan club celebrate "Star Wars Day" in front of the Colosseum in central Rome on May 4, 2014.

Members of the Star Wars fan club celebrate "Star Wars Day" in front of the Colosseum in central Rome on May 4, 2014.

Photo: Tiziana Fabi, AFP/Getty Images

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Members of the Star Wars fan club celebrate "Star Wars Day" in front of the Colosseum in central Rome on May 4, 2014.

Members of the Star Wars fan club celebrate "Star Wars Day" in front of the Colosseum in central Rome on May 4, 2014.

Photo: Tiziana Fabi, AFP/Getty Images

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Members of the Star Wars fan club dressed as stormtroopers celebrate "Star Wars Day" in front of the Colosseum in central Rome on May 4, 2014 AFP PHOTO / TIZIANA FABITIZIANA FABI/AFP/Getty Images

Members of the Star Wars fan club dressed as stormtroopers celebrate "Star Wars Day" in front of the Colosseum in central Rome on May 4, 2014 AFP PHOTO / TIZIANA FABITIZIANA FABI/AFP/Getty Images

Photo: Tiziana Fabi, AFP/Getty Images

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Members of the Star Wars fan club dressed as Stormtroopers celebrate "Star Wars Day" in front of the Colosseum in central Rome on May 4, 2014.

Members of the Star Wars fan club dressed as Stormtroopers celebrate "Star Wars Day" in front of the Colosseum in central Rome on May 4, 2014.

Photo: Tiziana Fabi, AFP/Getty Images

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Members of the Star Wars fan club celebrate "Star Wars Day" in front of the Colosseum in central Rome on May 4, 2014.

Members of the Star Wars fan club celebrate "Star Wars Day" in front of the Colosseum in central Rome on May 4, 2014.

Photo: Tiziana Fabi, AFP/Getty Images

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Members of the Star Wars fan club celebrate "Star Wars Day" in front of the Colosseum in central Rome on May 4, 2014.

Members of the Star Wars fan club celebrate "Star Wars Day" in front of the Colosseum in central Rome on May 4, 2014.

Photo: Tiziana Fabi, AFP/Getty Images

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A member (C) of the Star Wars fan club in Thailand, dressed as Darth Vader, parades with others dressed as Stormtroopers (back R) to celebrate "Star Wars Day" at a shopping mall in Bangkok on May 4, 2014. Members of the club dressed up in costume to parade around and raise funds for an orphanage charity. less

A member (C) of the Star Wars fan club in Thailand, dressed as Darth Vader, parades with others dressed as Stormtroopers (back R) to celebrate "Star Wars Day" at a shopping mall in Bangkok on May 4, 2014. ... more

Photo: Pornchai Kittiwongsakul, AFP/Getty Images

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A member (2nd R) of the Star Wars fan club in Thailand, dressed as Darth Vader, parades with others to celebrate "Star Wars Day" at a shopping mall in Bangkok on May 4, 2014. Members of the club dressed up in costume to parade around and raise funds for an orphanage charity. less

A member (2nd R) of the Star Wars fan club in Thailand, dressed as Darth Vader, parades with others to celebrate "Star Wars Day" at a shopping mall in Bangkok on May 4, 2014. Members of the club dressed up in ... more

Photo: Pornchai Kittiwongsakul, AFP/Getty Images

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TOPSHOTS
Members of the Star Wars fan club celebrate "Star Wars Day" in front of the Colosseum in central Rome on May 4, 2014.

TOPSHOTS
Members of the Star Wars fan club celebrate "Star Wars Day" in front of the Colosseum in central Rome on May 4, 2014.

Photo: Tiziana Fabi, AFP/Getty Images

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Members of the Star Wars fan club celebrate "Star Wars Day" in front of the Colosseum in central Rome on May 4, 2014.

Members of the Star Wars fan club celebrate "Star Wars Day" in front of the Colosseum in central Rome on May 4, 2014.

Photo: Tiziana Fabi, AFP/Getty Images

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A member of the Star Wars fan club dressed as Princess Leia celebrates "Star Wars Day" in front of the Colosseum in central Rome on May 4, 2014.

A member of the Star Wars fan club dressed as Princess Leia celebrates "Star Wars Day" in front of the Colosseum in central Rome on May 4, 2014.

Photo: Tiziana Fabi, AFP/Getty Images

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A man dressed as Master Yoda takes part in the "Star Wars Day" in front of the Colosseum in central Rome on May 4, 2014.

A man dressed as Master Yoda takes part in the "Star Wars Day" in front of the Colosseum in central Rome on May 4, 2014.

Photo: Tiziana Fabi, AFP/Getty Images

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Veronica Kadrich poses for a photograph in her Darth Maul Star Wars cosplay, Sunday afternoon, at the Laredo Public Library during the Star Wars Day: May the Fourth Be With You event.

Veronica Kadrich poses for a photograph in her Darth Maul Star Wars cosplay, Sunday afternoon, at the Laredo Public Library during the Star Wars Day: May the Fourth Be With You event.

Photo: Victor Strife

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Manuel Barrera, left, poses for a photograph with a Stormtrooper cosplayer, Sunday afternoon, at the Laredo Public Library during the Star Wars Day: May the Fourth Be With You event.

Manuel Barrera, left, poses for a photograph with a Stormtrooper cosplayer, Sunday afternoon, at the Laredo Public Library during the Star Wars Day: May the Fourth Be With You event.

Photo: Victor Strife

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Star Wars cosplayer members of the 501st Legion march across the Laredo Public Library lobby, as they prepare to take photographs with Star Wars fans, Sunday afternoon, during the Star Wars Day: May the Fourth Be With You event. less

Star Wars cosplayer members of the 501st Legion march across the Laredo Public Library lobby, as they prepare to take photographs with Star Wars fans, Sunday afternoon, during the Star Wars Day: May the Fourth ... more

Photo: Victor Strife

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The Denver Outlaws take the field as a member of the Rebel Alliance cheers them on before a game against the Ohio Machine at Sports Authority Field at Mile High on May 4, 2014 in Denver, Colorado. The teams wore Star Wars themed jerseys in honor of "May-The-4th-Be-With-You day." less

The Denver Outlaws take the field as a member of the Rebel Alliance cheers them on before a game against the Ohio Machine at Sports Authority Field at Mile High on May 4, 2014 in Denver, Colorado. The teams ... more

Photo: Justin Edmonds, Getty Images

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Jesse Schwartzman #19 of the Denver Outlaws celebrates the win against the Ohio Machine with teammate Drew Snider #23 at Sports Authority Field at Mile High on May 4, 2014 in Denver, Colorado. The teams wore Star Wars themed jerseys in honor of "May-The-4th-Be-With-You" day.The Outlaws defeated the Machine 14-12. less

Jesse Schwartzman #19 of the Denver Outlaws celebrates the win against the Ohio Machine with teammate Drew Snider #23 at Sports Authority Field at Mile High on May 4, 2014 in Denver, Colorado. The teams wore ... more

Photo: Justin Edmonds, Getty Images

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New hope for George Lucas' museum proposal

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Did you know it's Star Wars Day?

May the Fourth be with you. (It's a real, if geeky, thing. Google it.)

In commemoration, we decided to look into whether former Mayor Willie Brown's recent suggestion in his Chronicle column that "Star Wars" creator George Lucasbuild his proposed art museum at Piers 30-32 has any legs.

Considering pretty much everything proposed for the site has been met with outrage and consternation from at least some quarters, this latest idea surely would crumble like the piers themselves right? And the Lucas Museum would be built in a galaxy far, far away. (He's also eyeing Chicago, which might as well be.)

Not so fast. It sounds like - wait for it - there might be an idea in the world of San Francisco politics and development that is actually widely popular.

"It's certainly something worth exploring, and I'm sure we will," said Leslie Katz, president of the Port Commission, of a Lucas Museum on the piers.

The commission has asked port staff to compile a list of ideas for the piers in the next few months after the Golden Gate Warriors' announced they are following in the footsteps of so many wealthy men with big ideas before them and ditching development plans for Piers 30-32.

And on Friday, Mayor Ed Leesaid he's directing city staff to look for sites - public and private - that might entice the director to keep his stash in town.

A quick catch-up: the Warriors had proposed building a basketball arena on the piers, but opted earlier this month to build in Mission Bay instead.

And Lucas had proposed building a museum to house his Americana art and Hollywood memorabilia collection at Crissy Field, but was rebuffed by the Presidio Trust. The trust offered him a different site in the Presidio, which his team dismissed as a "Hail Mary." That leaves him without a museum site and the piers without a development plan.

Lucas has said he would spend $700 million on the museum, which in theory would cover the $200 million estimated cost of rehabbing the decrepit piers. If the museum didn't top the currently zoned 40-foot height limit for the piers, it wouldn't need voter approval. And while "Star Wars" fans are a rabid bunch, it surely wouldn't attract the crowds and create the traffic mess that opponents of the Warriors arena feared.

Plus, the park that seems to be the other big talked-about plan for Piers 30-32 would mean the port would have to invest tens of millions that it just doesn't have, Katz said. Only if city voters were willing to back a big bond measure could that work, she added.

"Just to maintain it is so expensive," she said. "It would be great if we could figure out something that would be of a good public benefit."

"It sounds like an interesting idea," she said. "It would be nice to keep Lucas in the area and not go to Chicago."

But still, the same cast of opinionated characters who helped defeat the Warriors arena would speak out against this too, right?

Nope.

"I think it has some merit," said former Mayor Art Agnoswho praised the look and feel of Lucas' Skywalker Ranch in Marin. "I think he's a thoughtful, sensitive developer and I'd love to see what he would do on 30-32."

Jon Golinger, who helped kill the 8 Washington luxury condominium development on the waterfront, agreed.

"Art on the waterfront is a fantastic idea," he said. "I've been to the Pier 24 photography museum, and I think it's a really spectacular, adaptive use of an old pier shed into something that brings people to the waterfront.

"You can literally hear the seagulls croaking away as you walk around looking at the photographs."

Sensitive? Fantastic? Spectacular?

Who are these suddenly perky people?

Surely Chronicle urban design critic John Kingwould see flaws in the plan. He wrote thoughtful articles explaining why the Lucas Museum was a bad fit for Crissy Field and the Warriors arena was a bad fit for the piers. So surely the mix of two bad ideas wouldn't be good.

"It's kind of genius," he said, explaining that a parking garage for a new museum could be built across the street and be wrapped into housing - low-slung to keep neighbors happy. And that the museum wouldn't take up nearly as much space as the basketball arena so there'd be plenty of room to create "a sylvan setting" around it.

"If you had a willing Lucas and an inventive city, you could really pull it off," King said.

to David Perry, spokesman for Lucas, were not returned, so we don't know how he might like the idea.

But any time Art Agnos likes an idea of Willie Brown's, either hell has frozen over or they're onto something.

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